Droplets in isotropic turbulence: deformation and breakup statistics

TL;DR

This paper investigates how droplets deform and break up in isotropic turbulence using simulations and analytical models, providing insights into drop lifetime and breakup statistics.

Contribution

It combines Lagrangian simulations with a vector model to analyze droplet deformation, breakup, and lifetime in turbulent flows, advancing understanding of droplet dynamics.

Findings

Drop deformation and breakup statistics are characterized.

Drop lifetime depends on initial size and capillary number.

Analytical predictions align with simulation results.

Abstract

The statistics of the deformation and breakup of neutrally buoyant sub-Kolmogorov ellipsoidal drops is investigated via Lagrangian simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. The mean lifetime of a drop is also studied as a function of the initial drop size and the capillary number. A vector model of drop previously introduced by Olbricht, Rallison and Leal [J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. $\mathbf{10}$, 291 (1982)] is used to predict the behaviour of the above quantities analytically.